★★★★½
Quality. Audacity. Humanity. The core values of Circa. Something the world needs more of.
Since establishing itself in Brisbane in 2004, Circa has become one of Australia’s most internationally celebrated arts companies, touring to more than 45 countries and performing for over two million people worldwide. It feels only fitting that Duck Pond ends its tour at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
Duck Pond uses a clever mix of acrobatics, movement, clowning and comedy all to the theme of Swan Lake. It does everything it is supposed to: the audience gasp at the same time. Chuckle at the same time. And had me thinking, I wonder if I could learn how to do that? Spoiler: These knees would not hold up.
From the beginning, the audience knows they are in for a treat as the ensemble of acrobats begins flying through the air and tumbling across the floor. The quartet of characters is clear with the ugly duckling in a Tudor-esque costume, while the rest of the ensemble wear stunning black velvet bodysuits (can I please get one in my size?).
The prince is clearly represented by the crown. The black swan has striking, sharp red eye makeup. The fairy swan mother stands apart visually, with black-and-white wings and a black-and-grey bodysuit trimmed in red, though the design did evoke the USA Olympic swimsuit.
Costume aside, Asha Colless is phenomenal in the role. From carrying fellow performers to commanding the silks work high above the stage, Colless pushes the physical limits of the production in ways that genuinely make your stomach drop.
Alicia Maccarone plays the Ugly Duckling and absolutely smashes it. Maccarone begins as a naive outcast who is playful and inexperienced. With a bit of whimsy, influence and hilarious antics by some of the ducks, she becomes a talented swan and realises what it is they truly want, or should I say who…no spoilers!
Across just 70 minutes, Duck Pond crafts a more satisfying emotional arc than some full-length productions manage in twice the time. Much of that success belongs to Maccarone, but it also reflects the assured direction of Yaron Lifschitz, who keeps things grounded beneath its spectacle.
A special mention also has to be given to Finn Neill, who spends the whole show with a smile on their face. Neill’s bright energy and personality radiate, making it hard to look anywhere else when they are onstage. Whether they were being catapulted across the stage or reaching heights on the silks, my eyes were drawn to them.
The company showcase their talents well, whether working with the diablo or a frightening number of hula hoops. I will be adding relearning how to hula hoop to my list after watching their performance.
Just when things appear to end, Duck Pond pulls back the curtain, quite literally. The drapes surrounding the stage fall away to reveal the backstage mechanics of the production. Performers begin packing up mats, drinking water and peeling away costume pieces.
What could have felt abrupt instead becomes part of the show itself, blending audience interaction with playful slapstick, including one delightfully absurd moment involving a performer tangled in tape and struggling to regain their footing. The sequence briefly leaves the audience unsure whether the performance is truly over. But that uncertainty becomes part of the fun.
The production closes on a final image. The transformed swan rises high above the stage atop the shoulders of several performers, draped in cascading black fabric as white feathers scatter across the surface below. It is a simple but beautiful tableau, tying the production back to the imagery and romance of Swan Lake while giving the performance a theatrical and unexpectedly elegant finale.
Duck Pond is sure to leave audiences amazed, not only by the physical talent but also by the joy embedded within it.
Duck Pond is presented by Circa and runs to 16 May at the Playhouse, QPAC in Brisbane.
Tickets: https://www.qpac.com.au/whats-on/2026/circa-duck-pond
Website: https://circa.org.au/show/duck-pond/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/circapresents/ and https://www.instagram.com/circapresents/
Photo credits: Daniel Boud
